Women in Biotechnology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxiv

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2. Women Scientists in Biotechnological Research

   1. Introduction

      • Francesca Molfino, Flavia Zucco

      Pages 1-31

   2. Heading Blithely Down the Garden Path? Some Entry Points into Current Debates on Women and Biotechnologies

      • Wendy Harcourt

      Pages 35-69

   3. Seeking A Seat at the Policy Table: Engaging Women in Biotechnology Research and in Decision Making

      • Nancy Hawkins, Elettra Ronchi

      Pages 71-91

   4. Perception and Attitudes Towards Biotechnology in Hungary

      • Judit Acsády, Zoltán Ferencz

      Pages 93-106

   5. Contribution of Bulgarian Women to Plant Biotechnology: Institute of Genetics Case

      • Georgina Kosturkova

      Pages 107-120

3. Bodies, Cultures and Scientific Metaphors

   1. Embryo Transfer: A View from the United Kingdom

      • Sarah Franklin

      Pages 123-142

   2. Dividual Systems & Ultraneoteny

      • Elena Gagliasso Luoni

      Pages 143-160

   3. ‘Pop-Genes’: The Symbolic Effects of the Release of ‘Genes’ into Ordinary Speech

      • Barbara Duden, Silja Samerski

      Pages 161-170

   4. The Organizational Construction of the Body in Assisted Reproductive Technologies

      • Manuela Perrotta

      Pages 171-181

   5. What’s in a Name? The Importance of Nomenclature in Biotechnology

      • Katherine Harrison

      Pages 183-197

   6. Egg Donation in the UK: Tracing Emergent Networks of Feminist Engagement in Relation to HFEA Policy Shifts in 2006

      • Alexandra Plows

      Pages 199-216

4. Environmental Effects of Biotechnology

   1. Seeking the New Biotechnological Fix? Public Health Genetics and Environmental Justice Policy in the United States

      • Giovanna Di Chiro

      Pages 219-236

   2. Technological Challenges: Asbestos Past Experiences, Nanoparticles Future Developments

      • Qamar Rahman

      Pages 237-255

   3. Affective Implications of GM Food on Social and Individual Integrity: An Ethical Approach

      • Susanne Uusitalo

      Pages 257-262

   4. Women’s Perceptions of Biotechnologies: The Case of Genetically Modified Foods in Switzerland

      • Fabienne Crettaz von Roten, Elvita Alvarez

      Pages 263-275

   5. A Transdisciplinary Approach to Face the Plant Gene Transfer Technique: From Laboratory to Society

      • Lucia Martinelli, Floriana Marin

      Pages 277-284

5. Facing Impact: Society and Biotechnology

   1. Gender and Justice in the Gene Age: The Challenges Presented by Reproductive and Genetic Biotechnologies

      • Marsha J. Tyson Darling

      Pages 287-301

   2. Health Risks and Benefits from Biotechnology

      • Amalia Bosìa

      Pages 303-314

   3. Biodiversity of Romania Stressed by Transgenic Cultures?

      • Katalin Bartók

      Pages 315-330

Johannes Klumpers Biotechnologies, such as genetic engineering, cloning and biodiversity, raise many legal and ethical concerns, so it is important that people understand these issues and feel able to express their opinions. This is why the European Commission has been, for a number of years, supporting actions to improve communication among scientists in these diverse areas. The project ‘Women in Biotechnology’ (WONBIT), financed under the 6th Framework programme of the European Commission, is an excellent example of what can be done to target opinion-formers such as scientists, economists and lawyers in bottom-up activities, and to encourage a debate on gender issues triggered by developments in the life sciences. WONBIT gave rise to a successful international conference highlighting the importance of adopting good practices and ethical considerations in parallel with the rapid pace of progress in biotechnology – from a woman’s point of view. In particular, the conference addressed women in decision-making positions in b- technology with specific reference to scientific excellence, social competencies and management qualities as well as issues relating to environment, society and the younger generation. But it did not stop there: a key part of the conference was dedicated to stimulating public debate among non-specialists, which has led to a number of recommen- tions to policy-makers on better communication in biotechnology, on taking better account of the gender aspects of research, and on involving more women in the decision-making process that surrounds developments in biotechnology.

• Gender
• biodiversity
• bioethics
• biology
• biopolitics
• biotechnology
• environment
• feminism
• gene transfer
• genetics
• science and society
• transgen

From the reviews:

"Women in Biotechnology examines legal, ethical, scientific, and technological issues related to development in biological technology from a woman’s point of view. … this volume is a collection of papers presented at the international Wombit Conference dealing with women in biotechnology in Rome, Italy, in June 2007. … it is also accessible to general readers and academic audiences in other science fields. Summing Up: Recommended. Academic, general, and professional libraries, all levels." (C. A. Klevickis, Choice, Vol. 46 (7), March, 2009)

• Women and Science Association (Italy), Rome, Italy

  Francesca Molfino

• Institute for Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine (INMM), The National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy

  Flavia Zucco

Policies and ethics